Changing the narrative of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON—The UNCF Washington Mayor’s Masked Ball, led by Mayor Bowser and UNCF’s Washington area office, was held January 27 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The event raised $468,000 for deserving young scholars in the Washington, DC area.

More than 500 business, civic and education leaders and UNCF president and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax attended the signature fundraiser, helping to equip minority students with the resources necessary to transition into college and ultimately the workforce.

“We have given nearly a half-million students—460,000 students, most of them from low-income families, most of them short-changed by their K-12 education—the college education that the economy of the 20th century demanded and that the 21st century requires,” said Lomax. “And the health and vitality of our HBCU movement has not only educated students, but has transformed cities and altered power structures.”

With the help of the DMV community, $1.4 million was awarded last year in scholarships and programs to over 106 area scholars.  And now, with the release of UNCF’s publication, HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Economic Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, we know graduates from the 11 HBCUs in the DMV contributed over $3 billion to the total economic impact, generated 29,848 in total jobs and produced $26.3 billion in lifetime earnings.

WHUR news anchor Taylor Thomas served as emcee for the elegant evening featuring dinner, dancing and entertainment provided by CeCe Peniston.

Ben Wilson, chairman, Beveridge & Diamond, P.C. and Bishop James L. Davis, 2nd Episcopal District of the AME Church, received 2018 MASKED Awards for inspiring change through education.

The highly anticipated event was made possible by the steadfast commitment of ball chair, David Trone, owner, Total Wine and More and sponsors, including Vonage, Exelon, JMA Solutions, DC09, Hyatt Regency and Pepco Holdings.

“Mr. Trone’s staunch and generous support of UNCF is admirable,” said Charles Thompson III, area development director, UNCF. “His leadership helped increase our efforts in educational equality thus secures better futures for us all.”

To view images from UNCF Washington Mayor’s Masked Ball, please visit UNCF.org/DMV.

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 About UNCF

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF awards more than $100 million in scholarships annually and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.